Pacific Union Conference

Connie Vandeman Jeffery

Articles by Connie Vandeman Jeffery

  • Fundamental Belief Number 20: The Sabbath – Day of Rest and Gladness

    Fundamental Belief Number 20: The Sabbath – Day of Rest and Gladness

    The Sabbath is meant to be a day free from distraction. It reminds us both of Creation and also redemption—giving the examples of Genesis and of the exodus of Israel from Egypt.   Oh, how I love the Sabbath! My earliest Sabbath memories center around music. Each Friday evening as we gathered as a family…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • Fundamental Belief Number 6: Creation

    Fundamental Belief Number 6: Creation

    The Creation story has thrilled me since I was a child. In Sabbath School classes at church and in Bible classes at school, I discovered that this fundamental belief of Creation was intensely personal to me.  The summer I was 15, my parents let me travel across Canada—from Toronto to Camp Hope in British Columbia—with…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • “When Mother Tucked Me In”

    “When Mother Tucked Me In”

      Every year during the month of May, I find myself wishing for one more visit with my mother. It has been 22-plus years since she fell asleep in Jesus, and yet I miss my mom on Mother’s Day more than on her December 19 birthday or the anniversary of her death. Mother’s Day was…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • Fill My Cup, Lord

    Fill My Cup, Lord

    I am on a self-care journey that has had its hills and valleys, its highs and lows, over the years. When I discussed how I was trying to better take care of myself with my girlfriend over dinner some time ago, she said, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Her words were transformational for me. …

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • Unto These Hills

    Unto These Hills

    “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord”. Psalm 121:1, KJV I am reminded of this text when I look at the hills around me. My Camarillo, Calif., home is surrounded by hills—hills that were dry and brown because of the drought; hills…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • All God’s People

    All God’s People

      My favorite February episodes of All God’s People have focused on Black History Month. In the past six years, we have had thoughtful, inspiring interviews with our leaders and pastors about the significance of Black History Month.   From AGP 604—posted Feb. 4, 2022: February is Black History Month, and it offers an opportunity…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery
  • Important Rules

    Important Rules

      I am a compulsive list-maker. To-do lists cover my refrigerator and are stuck on my laptop via Post-it Notes. There is always a grocery list and various permutations of to-do lists stuffed in my handbag. These include, but are not limited to, lists of items to do for other people, appointments that require some…

    Connie Vandeman Jeffery